By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
24 April 2025- A multidisciplinary intelligence driven operation involving the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit, Organised Crime Unit, Provincial Detectives, Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Klerksdorp Tactical Response Team (TRT) led to the arrest of suspects who were linked to kidnapping and robbery of Hasani Daniel Maluleka (62) in Wilkoppies, Klerksdorp.
The suspects have now been charged with murder after they led the police to a dam in the outskirts of Orkney, where the body of Maluleka was dumped after being killed.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said Julia Kolobi (47), Mcdonald Tsolo (39), Bongani Rampai (43), Thabo Motlatsi (50) and Kagiso Wageng (37), briefly appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 22 April 2025, facing charges of kidnapping, house robbery and murder. Mokgwabone said they will remain in custody until 30 April 2025, for legal representation and a bail application.
“The group’s arrests came after a team was activated after Maluleka’s former girlfriend failed to reach him on his cell phone on 11 April 2025. Preliminary investigations established that Maluleka’s Mercedes Benz and Toyota Hilux vehicles were missing and that the house had been ransacked.
“It came to light during investigations that a substantial amount of money was withdrawn from Maluleka’s bank account. The team’s efforts led to the arrest of Kolobi at Extension 10, Jouberton Township on 13 April 2025. The other four suspects were arrested in Sebokeng Township, in Gauteng Province and Kanana Township, near Orkney between 19 and 20 April 2025,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said upon effecting the arrests, the team confiscated Volkswagen Tiguan and Golf vehicles, which are believed to have been used in the commission of the crimes. He added that the team recovered Maluleka’ vehicles’ keys, a laptop and unlicensed 9mm firearm with ammunition.
“In addition, the team recovered the victim’s Mercedes Benz in Evaton Township. Subsequent investigations led to the retrieval of Maluleka’s body from Schoonspruit River, near Orkney on Monday morning, 21 April 2025, by North West Police Divers.
“Investigations into the matter continue,” said Mokgwabone.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, has commended the team for working tirelessly for days to make sure that these opportunistic, heartless criminals, including the organizing girlfriend, are put behind bars. Asaneng said this crime is yet a tragic reminder and indication of the moral depravity and gratuitous violence afflicting the society.
“It is unfathomable that a law-abiding person who had worked so hard for years was brutally killed by greedy murderers when he was about to enjoy his retirement. This murder, including one that happened in Hartbeespoortdam, points to the emergence of a pattern of crimes, where unsuspecting men are lured by ladies or women who are working with criminal male partners.
“These modern day Jezebels must be warned that they will be found no matter what and will face the full might of the law,” he said.
The Guardian 